Wales’ ageing Victorian railway network is set to be “brought into the 21st century” by a 10-year modernisation plan worth £1bn, Network Rail’s route managing director for Wales claims.

Wales’ ageing Victorian railway network is set to be “brought into the 21st century” by a 10-year modernisation plan worth £1bn, Network Rail’s route managing director for Wales claims.

Announcing the organisation’s strategic business plan for 2014-19, Mark Langman said Network Rail are to change the face of the Welsh railway system so it will be “completely unrecognisable” by 2024.

The company’s plan – which has been submitted to the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) – includes proposals which Mr Langman says will help drive the country’s economy and make its railway fit for the future.

It includes the well-publicised plans to electrify parts of the network as well as new announcements on renewing old signals and improving bridges, tunnels, track and stations.

“What we are doing is embarking on a 10-year modernisation plan which will change the face of the railway in Wales,” he said.

“We have a great legacy that dates back to the Victorian era. The railway suffered from under-investment during the 20th century and what we are now doing is bringing the network into the 21st century.

“Some of the equipment we are using dates back to the early 1900s. We want to bring this up to modern standards so that we can deliver the things that passengers want such as more trains and faster trains.”

The first stage of the 10-year plan will begin in North Wales with the re-signalling of the main line between Flint and Llandudno.

This, combined with a similar scheme to re-signal the critical Marches route between Newport and Shrewsbury, will provide train companies with the ability to run more frequent and faster trains between North and South Wales.

Mr Langman said passengers travelling to and from Holyhead and Cardiff could expect their journey times to be cut by up to 15 minutes.

Plans to electrify the main line between Swansea and London Paddington will help reduce journey times and provide quieter, more comfortable journeys for passengers as well as making South Wales a more attractive place for potential investors to do business.

The electrification of the Valleys network will build on the £220m re-signalling project currently underway, Mr Langman added.

This work, he said, will also provide the prospect of a “metro-style” service for the Cardiff city region.

“It’s about putting the building blocks in place so that we can revitalise the railway in Wales,” he said.

“A modernised, fit for purpose railway can also help generate and spread prosperity. It can create jobs, open up new markets and support the growth of a thriving, sustainable, low carbon economy.

“Electrification is undoubtedly the most important development as it will provide us with the potential for more trains and faster trains but it also reduces the burden on the tax-payer as an electric railway is cheaper to run.

“In 10 years time from when this plan starts – 2024 – the railway network in Wales will be completely unrecognisable, it will be completely modernised.

“The key message in some ways is not around the construction, but rather that we are a responsible company; one that understands that we require a large level of public investment and as such we ensure that we deliver value for money for the taxpayer.”

Passenger numbers in Wales have grown significantly over the last 10 years and Mr Langman said this growth is forecast to continue – meaning his company faces a challenge to deliver a railway that is fit for the 21st century and meets the demands and needs of passengers.

“This plan is about the five years from 2014 but we also have a long term planning process in place which looks at what we need to do in the future,” he said.

“That process looks at where the future demand is likely to come from and what the best solution for dealing with that demand might be.”

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